The new Porsche 911 Dakar, presented at the Los Angeles auto show, will be produced in 2,500 units and is distinguished by a series of modifications that make it suitable for off-road use. This exclusive model not only testifies to the infinite potential of the Porsche 911, but also evokes Porsche's first overall victory in the 1984 Paris-Dakar.

At the Los Angeles auto show, Porsche presented the new 911 Dakar, the off-road version of the famous German sports car. Production will be limited to just 2,500 units, with deliveries starting in the spring of 2023. The Porsche 911 Dakar, which stands out for a series of aesthetic and technical changes, making it suitable for off-road use, commemorates Porsche's first victory in the Paris-Dakar rally of 1984.

To celebrate this important event in Porsche history, the 911 Dakar is also offered with the Rallye Design Package (optional), which features a two-tone white / blue livery that recalls that of the victorious car in the race.

Pushing the Porsche 911 Dakar we find a 3-liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder boxer that delivers 480 horsepower with a torque of 570 NM, capable of taking it from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.4 seconds and with a top speed of 240 km / h. h. The gearbox is the eight-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic combined with all-wheel drive. Standard equipment also includes rear steering wheels, 911 GT3 engine mounts and PDCC anti-roll stabilization. Off-road performance is guaranteed by two new driving modes (Rallye and Off Road), selectable via the rotor on the steering wheel. Rallye mode is ideal for bumpy and uneven surfaces and features rear all-wheel drive. In Off Road mode, the raised suspension is activated automatically; the mode is designed for maximum traction on difficult terrain and sand. Both new driving modes are also equipped with the new Rallye Launch Control, which allows super acceleration even on uneven surfaces, and allows wheel slip of about 20%.

The new Porsche 911 Dakar has a 5 cm higher ground clearance than a Carrera with sports suspension. However, the lifting system (standard) can raise the car by another 3 cm, for an overall height that can be compared to that of a modern SUV. The lifting system is not only used to overcome obstacles or to tackle more complex sections of terrain, but it is an integral part of the chassis, which has been modified.

The new Porsche 911 Dakar is equipped with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires (245/45 ZR R19 on the front and 295/40 ZR R20 on the rear), designed to guarantee excellent performance even in the most demanding off-road conditions. 

Aesthetically, the Porsche 911 Dakar stands out for its light and fixed rear spoiler in plastic and carbon, as well as for the front bonnet in the same material, equipped with eye-catching air intakes (taken from the 911 GT3). There are also off-road details such as red aluminum tow hooks in the front and rear, widened wheel arches and sills and stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear and side sills. The side air intakes on the redesigned front are also protected by steel grilles.

Also specific is the roof of the Porsche 911 Dakar, which mounts a roof rack with a load capacity of 42 kg, a 12 volt power outlet, and LED headlights.

The basis of the optional Rallye Design package from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is the two-tone White / Gentian Blue metallic finish. This combination of paintwork and two-tone wrapping on a standard model is a first for Porsche. The customer can choose an individual race number between 1 and 999 to be affixed to the side of the car. In addition to the decorative stripes in red and gold, the 911 Dakar with Rallye Design package - which reproduces the aesthetics of the 1984 Paris-Dakar winning car - also features the "Roughroads" logo on the doors.

This term is a registered trademark and refers to the concept of the 911 Dakar and its suitability for off-road driving. The Rallye Sport package with anti-tip bar, six-point seat belts and fire extinguisher is available as an option. Buyers of the 911 Dakar can exclusively order the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 - 911 Dakar or Chronograph 1 - 911 Dakar Rallye Design Edition chronographs with their car. The peculiarity of these time markers is the case, made for the first time in titanium carbide, light and particularly resistant to scratches.

From the 1960s to today, the offroad sports car has a long tradition behind it.

The Porsche 911 Dakar pays homage to the brand's past in rally raids. It is an opportunity to look back in time and remember the times when the Porsche 911 was tested even off the road.

Already in 1967, Vic Elford participated in the Monte Carlo Rally with a Porsche 911 S and took third place overall. The following year he excelled with a 170hp Porsche 911 T and three specially reinforced Porsche 911 Ss were built for the crazy London-Sydney rally.

- The 70s

Ten years later, we are in 1978 and the factory team participates with two 911 SCs in the Safari Rally in East Africa. The challenge is to overcome 5,000 kilometers of extremely hard slopes, under scorching heat and torrential rain. The extreme conditions are felt: only 13 out of 72 teams see the finish line. Martini Racing Porsche System Engineering has as drivers the Swedish Björn Waldegaard (starting number 5) and the Kenyan Vic Preston jr. (starting number 14).

The 911 SC is well equipped with 28 centimeters of ground clearance, very long stroke suspension, underbody protection, reinforced body and special chassis. Despite the heavy Safari bodywork, 110 liter petrol tank, 16 liters of water and 20 liters of oil on board, the Porsche is relatively light, weighing around 1,250 kilograms.

The proven three-liter naturally aspirated 911/77 with 250 hp, which has been fitted to the 911 RS and RSR since 1974/75, works in the rear. A six millimeter thick aluminum underrun protection runs from front to back. The bodywork and chassis are reinforced, the cast aluminum rear swingarms are armored with two layers of fiberglass and 1.5 mm sheet steel.

The clutch was modified for intensive use, Kussmaul equipped the gearbox with an additional oil cooler and a slightly elongated fifth gear. Massive windshield wipers protect the steel brake calipers from mud, which smoothed them out during test drives in Kenya.

Waldegaard is in the lead at the beginning, but gives way to rear end problems and ends the world championship race in fourth place. Preston jr. looks like the possible winner, but he finishes second after damaging the driveshaft. For the third time, after 1972 and 1974, a Porsche driver takes the second step of the podium in Nairobi and, for the moment, is Porsche's last appearance at the Safari.

- The 1980s

In the 1980s, Porsche dedicated itself to the event that gives its name to the future 911 Dakar, the Paris-Dakar Rally. Peter Falk is the race director two overall victories in the Paris-Dakar Rally, one in 1984 and one in 1986, are a further strength of his career.

"I've always been a rally enthusiast, someone who knows how to drive not only on beautiful paved roads. It has always been important to me that a car was good off-road as well," says Falk, an avowed fan of all-wheel drive. Together with his team, led by technician Roland Kussmaul, Falk developed the 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4, internally called 953, for the Paris-Dakar Rally in less than a year.

The 953 is based on the 911 G series and features a 3.2-liter six-cylinder with reduced compression to handle lower quality fuel. The real difference, however, lies further down: the heart of the 953 is a new all-wheel drive system that transfers power to the front and rear axles at a ratio of 31:69. The vehicle is also equipped with a manually lockable center differential.

For the 14,000-kilometer ride through some of the toughest and most inhospitable regions on the planet, Porsche also increased the suspension travel to 270 millimeters and fitted a double wishbone suspension with two shock absorbers at the front and a reinforced axle with coil springs. additional at the rear. The bodywork was massively reinforced with a welded steel cage.

The doors, roof, front fenders and all windows, except the windshield, were made of polycarbonate (plastic) to save weight. Since enormous distances have to be covered every day in the Paris-Dakar, Porsche engineers have also installed a 120-liter tank in the front trunk and an additional 150-liter tank behind the driver's seat.

French rally veterans René Metge and his co-driver Dominique Lemoyne take the radically new 911 to victory in its first appearance. It is the first time in the history of the Paris-Dakar that a sports car has won.

The Porsche 959 began its triumphal procession on rallies and circuits in 1985 as the world's fastest production car and technology vector, limited to 292 units. The 2.85-liter six-cylinder flat engine produces 450 hp thanks to the innovative register charge and intercooler, an in-house development of Porsche. Power is transmitted by a six-speed gearbox and electronically controlled transaxle all-wheel drive, tested on the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally winning Porsche 953. In 1986, the 959 rally version wins the Paris-Dakar.

- Gli anni 2000

Nel 2012 nasce la 911 Vision Safari, ma Porsche aspetta il 2020 per presentarla. Si tratta di un prototipo guidabile, utilizzato sulla superficie ghiaiosa dell'impianto di prova dell'azienda a Weissach e il capo progettista, Michael Mauer, dice di lei: "Raramente mi sono divertito così tanto prima d'ora!".

- Eccoci al 2022

Porsche presenta al Salone di Los Angeles la 911 Dakar, prodotta in 2.500 unità per omaggiare i trascorsi del marchio nei rally raid con look e sospensioni da SUV e qualcosa della GT3. Un'auto sportiva da offroad, capace quindi di far convivere desideri opposti.

The Porsche 959 began its triumphal procession on rallies and circuits in 1985 as the world's fastest production car and technology vector, limited to 292 units. The 2.85-liter six-cylinder flat engine produces 450 hp thanks to the innovative register charge and intercooler, an in-house development of Porsche. Power is transmitted by a six-speed gearbox and electronically controlled transaxle all-wheel drive, tested on the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally winning Porsche 953. In 1986, the 959 rally version wins the Paris-Dakar.

- The 2000s

The 911 Vision Safari was born in 2012, but Porsche waits for 2020 to present it. It is a drivable prototype, used on the gravel surface of the company's test facility in Weissach and the chief designer, Michael Mauer, says of her: "I have rarely had this much fun before!"

- Here we are in 2022

Porsche presents the 911 Dakar at the Los Angeles Motor Show, produced in 2,500 units to pay homage to the brand's past in rally raids with SUV looks and suspensions and something of the GT3. An off-road sports car, therefore capable of bringing together opposing desires.